Old TVs, New Life: How E-Waste Recycling in Auckland Is Gaining Momentum

Auckland’s e-waste problem is growing fast, but so is the solution. Thanks to local action and big-brand support, thousands of old electronics are getting a second chance. And we're proud to be part of that change.

From Clutter to Change: Our E-Waste Journey in Auckland

Ever wondered what happens to that old laptop gathering dust in your garage? Or the cracked TV you shoved in the office corner months ago? For more and more Aucklanders, the answer isn’t the landfill, it’s responsible recycling. And we’re making that easier than ever.

Since 2023, our team at Echo has been running a powerful community-led initiative to tackle the city’s growing e-waste problem. With the support of Samsung, we've hosted eight free E-Day events across Auckland, giving people a simple, no-cost way to drop off unwanted electronics and know they’ll be handled properly.

140,000+ Kilograms and Counting

Since we launched the programme, you’ve helped us collect over 140,000 kilograms of e-waste —everything from TVs and phones to laptops and kitchen appliances. All of it now diverted from landfills and sent into certified recycling streams.

Our May 2025 E-Day was our biggest yet, with more than 45,955 kg collected in a single day. That’s thousands of items now on their way to being safely dismantled, repurposed, or recycled, not polluting our environment.

Powered by People and One Big Tech Brand

This success wouldn’t be possible without the people of Auckland or without our partnership with Samsung. As a grassroots organisation, we’ve always relied on community energy. But teaming up with a major brand allowed us to scale, reach more people, and operate these events with the resources they truly require.

Samsung’s support goes far beyond branding. It’s what helps us pay staff, move equipment, spread the word, everything we need to make these events work.

For Samsung, this work is part of their wider sustainability and circular economy mission, reducing waste, reusing materials, and building more responsible tech lifecycles. And for us, it's a partnership that makes real impact possible.

Want to Recycle Your Old Tech? Here’s How

Thinking about getting rid of old electronics? Here’s what we recommend:

• Check for local E-Day events  — we regularly post upcoming dates and locations on our site and social media
• Back up and wipe data — for phones, tablets, or laptops, make sure your personal information is removed
• Remove batteries if possible  — it’s safer and makes processing easier
• Bundle cables or accessories  — these are often recyclable too

It’s completely free to drop off your electronics at our Samsung E-Day events, and it only takes a few minutes.

A Greener Future Starts Here

As technology continues to evolve, so does the need for e-waste recycling, not just in Auckland, but across Aotearoa. That’s why we’re planning more events, expanding our reach, and exploring new ways to raise awareness and involve even more communities.

Together, we’re proving that when industry and community work side by side, real progress is possible, one recycled device at a time.

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